NewHilux.net

It’s time to stand up for our rights as the Government is about to re-introduce VSI 50.

We are sure that you all remember the furore that was caused last year when the then Minister for Roads, Mr Michael Daly tried to introduce a new law that effectively banned the lifting of 4WD’s in the state of NSW. That law was known as VSI 50. Due to a huge outcry from the readers of 4WD Action, Mr Daly had no choice other than to back down and put VSI 50 on hold.

Well, believe it or not, this Government has once again been sneaking around behind our backs and they are poised to implement this law this month!

It’s time for us as 4WDer’s to once again stand up and be counted, before it’s too late. We need to send a strong and clear message to this Government that says we will not be willing to accept VSI 50 in any way, shape, or form. This Government has created VSI 50 for no real reason, and it is based upon no real evidence or research that can clearly show that lifted 4WD’s contribute to deaths or injuries on our roads.
So how can you play your part?

Don’t stand back and think that someone else will do this. Each and every one of us needs to play our part if we are going to send a clear message to this Government. Don’t let the politicians ruin our way of life, and don’t let them take away your freedom as an Australian to enjoy your chosen recreation. Send in your letter today, and please CC 4WD Action on your email to the Minister.

Simply copy our letter below and add your own personal details then click this link to send it to the Roads Minister.

minister@borger.minister.nsw.gov.au

Dear current Roads Minister,

Last year your Government tried to introduce a regulation banning responsible 4WD owners from modifying the height of their vehicles.

Although this regulation targeted street hoons, it had severe consequences for the 4WD community and we fiercely opposed it.

Since then, we've faced almost 18 months of uncertainty as your Government has held closed-door meetings and refused to provide us with any updates on the new rules.

We want this uncertainty to end now.

I urge you to publicly rule out any change to the vehicle height regulations in NSW.

I also request that you make an announcement in this vein well before the State election in March 2011, because I will be keenly interested to see what all major parties offer on this issue, and this issue will be strongly influencing my vote.

Kind regards,

Your name

wyworrie wrote:Done

Skog07 wrote:There is a similar thread over on newtriton with a very interesting response from the flip side of VSI 50.... Lowering a vehicle.. I did find it a very interesting read. Will Pm the poster and ask if I can copy paste his thread onto here..
For those who are members on newtrition here is the thread here.
http://www.newtriton.net/phpbb/viewtopi ... =18&t=6422
Cheers
Skog

VSI 50 is a touchy one for me...

I realise why this has happened, probably a LOT more than a lot of people on here.

Pretty much minitruckers have caused this problem. I know, I am one. And I truly apologise for the damage our community has done. Most of us in the MT community do the right thing, but sadly a lot of us didn't and it has reflected badly on us as a whole.

VSI 50 isn't IMO really written to stop 4WDrivers, I truely believe you/us (the 4WD community) are caught in the middle of a fight between the gov' and minitruckers.

VSI 50 doesn't really impact on hoons like the skyline boys etc. They have no need, nor cannot lower their cars any further than what VSI 50 regulates. They are fine.

The way VSI 50 is written is to completely close every loop hole against the minitrucking community. As a result 4wd's get caught up in the web.

The main problem with the minitrucks is the notch in the chassis (specifically listed in VSI 50) which allows extra suspension travel. Combined with airbag suspension these utes can lower onto the ground and still in some cases lift 4 inches ABOVE stock height.

This is where the 4wd guys cop it. Because some of these minitrucks can lower onto the ground and lift above stock height both ends of the spectrum have to be covered by VSI 50.

Ok, so just make a 4wd exemption. Too easy? Its not.

A lot of the vehicles minitruckers modify are 4wd based chassis'. 4 runners and 100series landcruisers are re-bodied onto different chassis' to allow lowering. Some of the newer commercial utes share a common chassis between 2wd and 4x4 etc.

Ok ban the chassis notch, leave everything else alone. Minitrucks can't excessively lower and 4wdrivers are happy... It won't work. Minitrucker's will build complete new chassis' for their utes to avoid the notch and re-body them, install a falcon ute rear chassis section or install a new rear clip on the chassis (which is now the common practice).

There is literally 100's loop holes in the laws unless they use VSI 50. But then we have ICV...

Of course this is all my opinion, but I think Im not too far off the mark.

Just as some background knowledge, under current laws these minitrucks can be engineered and be fully road legal. I know, I currently have a fully engineered minitruck that can do all the things I've listed above. I've spent a lot of time and effort engineering this truck to be 100% road legal under the current law, if VSI 50 comes in I'll have a $40K paper weight, and its a 1986 vehicle. So you can see the dollars I've spent on the engineering side.

However, airbagged / notched minitrucks must run bumpstops at a fail height which stops the chassis touching the ground. There has been a MASSIVE push for these bumpstops to be ran at all times whilst on public roads from within the minitruck community for quite a few years now. And most guys abide by this rule as to preserve our way of life.

However there are plenty of people who do not, most being P platers which also doesn't help. When bumpstops are ran as per engineering / RTA requirements, these vehicles are very safe and are 100% legal.

At shows we do get under the trucks and remove the bumpstops to get the cars on the ground for the look. This also is photo documented and doesn't help the cause either as its all over the internet. A lot of minitruck show organisers are now inspecting show cars for bumpstops before permitting vehicles to re-enter the public road system.

I realise by writing this Im probably going to have a few enemies or flamings now on this site, but I've got thick skin and I actually think us minitruckers do owe 4wd owners a massive appology. Its just weird I've got a foot in each camp.

I can only hope for both camps VSI 50 doesn't come into power, or at least if it does, the 4wdrivers escape its contents. As a minitrucker, we made our bed we should lay in it.

Greg.

stringer wrote:I've done it, don't live in NSW but I can see this easily becoming into effect in other states if it's not stomped on now.
I think we all should stand up on this one

djyates wrote:Question for any legal boffins on this site, if (or when) VSI 50 comes into effect will any vehicle registered outside of NSW be required to meet the standards to travel on our roads( eg. travelling from Vic. to Q'land. via NSW)? I have read elsewhere that it will be a requirement to meet VSI 50 to drive on NSW roads regardless of where you reside. The revised draft is a bit more forgiving than the original, but could cause grief nonetheless. As long as your truck meets the current laws, you should not be affected. You will just have to keep it for good!